Ex-UAAP standouts Arvin Tolentino, Kib Montalbo join MPBL

Rappler.com

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Ex-UAAP standouts Arvin Tolentino, Kib Montalbo join MPBL
Two teams look to add youth and energy to their rosters with the addition of former FEU star Arvin Tolentino and ex-La Salle captain Kib Montalbo

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – Former Far Eastern University standout Arvin Tolentino and La Salle captain Kib Montalbo lead the latest batch of collegiate stars set to join the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Batangas City Athletics, the inaugural staging champion, tapped the services of Tolentino, while the retooled Makati Super Crunch acquired Montalbo.

Aside from Montalbo, the Super Crunch will also bring in PBA journeyman point guard Simon Atkins, who was released recently by the Meralco Bolts, along with Juneric Baloria and  big man Rino Berame.

Baloria and Berame are the latest transferees for the Super Crunch to be handled by head coach Cholo Villanueva.

Super Crunch was one of the hottest teams in the recent MPBL Datu Cup, but faltered in the playoffs and lost to the Quezon City Capitals in the northern division quarterfinal round.

“We were able to address our weaknesses from last season following the inclusion of these players,” Villanueva said. “With Juneric, we were able to get a player who has an experience in the playoffs and an additional gunner. With KIb, he gives us the youth and energy. Simon will give us the experience and extra stability at the point guard spot while Berame will definitely provide us the size that we badly needed.”

Batangas similarly expects the versatile 6-foot-4 Tolentino to add youth and energy to their roster.

Tolentino wasn’t the only key addition to the Athletics lineup as the team also nabbed ex-pro Jason Melano. 

Melano, a 6-foot-3 forward, was supposed to play for the Caloocan Supremos after his contract with the Bulacan Kuyas ended. But the  former Blackwater player in the PBA couldn’t come to terms with the Supremos and the Athletics immediately took advantage and signed up the versatile forward.

“With Melano and Tolentino, we have players capable of playing both the No. 3 and No. 4 spots,” said Batangas City team executive Jean Alabanza. – Rappler.com     

 

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!